The kickoff for the 2012 New York International Auto Show featured a car most of us will never drive, and even one that flies. (April 4)

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

The kickoff for the 2012 New York International Auto Show featured... Media-29064.41286 - SFGate

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Plug-in electric cars are replacing hybrids as the preferred green solution for auto manufacturers at the New York Auto Show. Fisker released its new Atlantic, BMW its new i8 Spyder -- the convertible version of the Mission Impossible car, while Ford, Toy

Ola Kaellenius, chief executive officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, introduces the new SL 65 AMG V-12 Roadster at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Ola Kaellenius

The Atlantic is revealed at Highline Stages on West 14th Street in New York City to kick off the New York Auto Show opening Thursday, on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. Known for months as Project Nina, the gasoline-and-electric-powered hybrid is regarded as Fisker's make-or-break model, the one with the best chance of gaining a mass customer base and getting the company into high gear.(AP Photo/The Wilmington News-Journal, Suchat Pederson )

Photo: Suchat Pederson, Associated Press

The Atlantic is revealed at Highline Stages on West 14th Street in...

The Atlantic is revealed at Highline Stages on West 14th Street in... Photo-2778910.41286 - SFGate

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The 2013 Meredes-Benz GL is unveiled in a world premier, Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the New York International Auto Show. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Photo: Mark Lennihan, Associated Press

The 2013 Meredes-Benz GL is unveiled in a world premier, Wednesday,...

The 2013 Meredes-Benz GL is unveiled in a world premier, Wednesday,... Photo-2778911.41286 - SFGate

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A 2013 Mercedes-Benz electric drive Smart Car is displayed, Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the New York International Auto Show. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Mark Reuss, President of General Motors North America, introduces the newly unveiled 2014 Chevrolet Impala at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on April 4, 2012 in New York City. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Photo: Mario Tama, Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Mark Reuss, President of General Motors...

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Mark Reuss, President of General Motors... Photo-2778913.41286 - SFGate

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Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co., introduces the Altima vehicle during a news conference at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Nissan Motor Co.'s struggle to move ahead of Honda Motor Co. in the U.S. hangs on the new Altima, designed to boost the sedan's appeal after it passed Accord in 2011 to become the No. 2-selling car. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Carlos Ghosn

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is displayed at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on April 4, 2012 in New York City. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The new 2013 Nissan Altima is displayed at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on April 4, 2012 in New York City. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Photo: Mario Tama, Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The new 2013 Nissan Altima is displayed...

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The new 2013 Nissan Altima is displayed... Photo-2778916.41286 - SFGate

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The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show, in New York's Javits Center, Wednesday, April 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Photo: Richard Drew, Associated Press

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is unveiled at the New York International...

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is unveiled at the New York International... Photo-2778917.41286 - SFGate

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is displayed at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on April 4, 2012 in New York City. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The 2013 Meredes-Benz GL is unveiled in a world premier, Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the New York International Auto Show. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Photo: Mark Lennihan, Associated Press

The 2013 Meredes-Benz GL is unveiled in a world premier, Wednesday,...

The 2013 Meredes-Benz GL is unveiled in a world premier, Wednesday,... Photo-2778920.41286 - SFGate

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The Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) X1 vehicle is unveiled during a news conference at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

The Toyota Motor Corp. Lexus ES vehicle is unveiled during a news conference at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

The Toyota Motor Corp. Lexus ES vehicle is unveiled during a news conference at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

The General Motors Co. (GM) Chevrolet Traverse stands before a news conference at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, discussed the outlook for sales of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid car and Cadillac vehicles. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

Photo: Scott Eells, Bloomberg

The General Motors Co. (GM) Chevrolet Traverse stands before a news...

Two 2013 Chevrolet Impalas are unveiled at the New York International Auto Show, in New York's Javits Center, Wednesday, April 4, 2012. General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet brand is trying to resuscitate sales of big sedans with a sleek, new version of the Impala. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Photo: Richard Drew, Associated Press

Two 2013 Chevrolet Impalas are unveiled at the New York...

Two 2013 Chevrolet Impalas are unveiled at the New York... Photo-2778928.41286 - SFGate

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The Honda Motor Co. Crosstour is unveiled during a news conference at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4th, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

An attendee uses an Apple Inc. iPad to take a photo of the Honda Motor Co. Crosstour during a news conference at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4th, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

Photo: Scott Eells, Bloomberg

An attendee uses an Apple Inc. iPad to take a photo of the Honda...

An attendee uses an Apple Inc. iPad to take a photo of the Honda... Photo-2778930.41286 - SFGate

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The Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz GL 450 vehicle is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg

The Ford Motor Co. Lincoln MKZ vehicle is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4th, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg

Photo: Peter Foley, Bloomberg

The Ford Motor Co. Lincoln MKZ vehicle is unveiled at the New York...

The Ford Motor Co. Lincoln MKZ vehicle is unveiled at the New York... Photo-2778932.41286 - SFGate

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The Terrafugia Transition "flying car" sits on display at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The Terrafugia Transition, developed by a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained engineers, seats two and can take off and land from more than 5,000 public U.S. airfields. It can be driven on any road and runs on the same gasoline as high-performance cars. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The Terrafugia Transition is introduced at the 2012 New York International Auto Show on April 5, 2012 in New York City. The Transition is the first of its kind: it is simultaneously able to perform as an aircraft or a street-legal vehicle. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The MV-1, made by Vehicle Production Group (VPG) is introduced at the 2012 New York International Auto Show on April 5, 2012 in New York City. The wheelchair-friendly taxi requires no aftermarket work to admit wheelchair passengers, and meets all guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The MV-1, made by Vehicle Production...

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The MV-1, made by Vehicle Production... Photo-2976629.41286 - SFGate

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The Mazda Takeri concept car on display at the New York International Auto Show in the Javits Convention Center, in New York, April 4, 2012. Unveiled last year at the Tokyo motor show, the Takeri is the near final draft of the Mazda 6 sedan and the latest expression of the company's recently introduced Kodo design language - defined as "soul of motion" and based on forms expressing coiled, potential power. (Benjamin Norman/The New York Times)

Photo: Benjamin Norman, New York Times

The Mazda Takeri concept car on display at the New York...

The Mazda Takeri concept car on display at the New York... Photo-2976630.41286 - SFGate

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The Acura RLX concept car on display at the New York International Auto Show in the Javits Convention Center, in New York, April 4, 2012. The trial-balloon version of the RLX will replace Acura's top offering, the RL luxury sedan. (Benjamin Norman/The New York Times)

Photo: Benjamin Norman, New York Times

The Acura RLX concept car on display at the New York International...

The Acura RLX concept car on display at the New York International... Photo-2976631.41286 - SFGate

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The Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc Phantom Series ll vehicle is displayed at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg

Photo: Peter Foley, Bloomberg

The Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc Phantom Series ll vehicle is displayed...

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The 2013 Dodge RAM is displayed at the 2012 New York Interantional Auto Show on April 5, 2012 in New York City. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 convertible vehicle is displayed at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg

The Hyundai Motor Co. Santa Fe sports utility vehicle (SUV) is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Hyundai Motor's redesigned Santa Fe SUV will come in two- and three-row variations, John Krafcik, chief executive officer and president of Hyundai Motor America, said. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is shown, Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the New York International Auto Show. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Photo: Mark Lennihan, Associated Press

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is shown, Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the New...

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is shown, Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the New... Photo-2976636.41286 - SFGate

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The Kia GT concept vehicle is displayed at the New York International Auto Show, in New York's Javits Center, Thursday, April 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Photo: Richard Drew, Associated Press

The Kia GT concept vehicle is displayed at the New York...

The Kia GT concept vehicle is displayed at the New York... Photo-2976637.41286 - SFGate

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The MV-1, made by Vehicle Production Group (VPG) is introduced at the 2012 New York International Auto Show on April 5, 2012 in New York City. The wheelchair-friendly taxi requires no aftermarket work to admit wheelchair passengers, and meets all guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15.

Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images

The MV-1, made by Vehicle Production Group (VPG) is introduced at...

The MV-1, made by Vehicle Production Group (VPG) is introduced at... Photo-2976638.41286 - SFGate

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The new Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s Subaru XV Crosstrek vehicle is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 5, 2012. The 2012 New York Auto Show is open to the public April 6-15. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The Shelby GT1000 is introduced at the 2012 New York International Auto Show on April 5, 2012 in New York City. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The Shelby GT1000 is introduced at the...

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: The Shelby GT1000 is introduced at the... Photo-2976640.41286 - SFGate

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The Porsche Automobil Holding SE 911 Carrera Cabriolet vehicle is displayed at the New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 5, 2012. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the designer of the original version of the iconic 911 sportscar, died today in Salzburg, Austria, he was 76. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg

The 2013 Cadillac SRX is displayed at the New York International Auto Show, in New York's Javits Center, Thursday, April 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Photo: Richard Drew, Associated Press

The 2013 Cadillac SRX is displayed at the New York International...

The 2013 Cadillac SRX is displayed at the New York International... Photo-2976642.41286 - SFGate

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The Infiniti LE Concept is unveiled, Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the New York International Auto Show. The Infiniti LE Concept is a near-production version of the performance luxury brand's first zero emission sedan. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Photo: Mark Lennihan, Associated Press

The Infiniti LE Concept is unveiled, Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the...